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:welcomeB: to the Gone for Good Club, Kathi! Have a look at the Members Page on page 1 of this thread. You'll see the way we post our stats and you'll also notice that today is weigh in day and the members are reporting in the format I need to make my job easier. If you'll just post a small bit about yourself and any stats you would like to appear by your name, I'll get them on there for you when I do the updates for this week. Again, welcome to the Club! Happy to have you join us! Mystjin - I know how hard it is to not be hungry during this time, and it's ok to eat more than you will after a fill. Just be careful to eat lots of protein. It will help fill you up and keep you full longer, and you will still lose weight. When you're hungry, rather than reaching for some kind of carb, such as veggies or fruit or (heaven forbid) breads or pastas, reach for a piece of juicy chicken, red meat or fish. Cottage cheese is also a great source of protein and is a great snack when served with low sugar canned fruits. Hang in there girl. You can do great things pre-filled if you if you play your cards wisely! Emilee - Sweetie, I am so happy for you! You're going to be a beautiful bride in January! Grats on your accomplishments so far... I know you are going to amaze us all before January arrives. Everyone - It's so good to see so many of you checking in this week! I'll be updating the stats either late tonight or first thing in the morning so everyone has a chance to report their weigh-in numbers.

Hey Denika, I'm glad you got your fill. I think you'll feel much better about things when you start seeing the weight loss starting up again. I fully agree with you about not wanting to be too tight. I am very cautious about that because I don't want to lose my band! I've heard about people who have the "first bite syndrome". Just as you described, the first bite feels stuck but after that things calm down and you can eat a lot. What I've seen suggested is to drink some warm tea or coffee prior to eating to loosen up the band and stomach. I've also seen people suggest that you take a small bite, chew it very well, then wait about 5 minutes before continuing. From the reactions I saw to those suggestions, they both seemed to help. I don't think you can relate the "first bite syndrome" to being too tight, because you say you can eat a lot afterwards, is that correct? If so then I think a fill was in order. But if you find yourself relying on softer, more high calorie foods, in order to be able to eat, that could account for your stop in weight loss and could indicate that you were too tight already. Here is a link to a checklist that helps you determine if you need adjustments to your fill/restriction. I think it will help. Best of luck to you! I pray that you find just the right restriction and begin to see some progress again. You must be very frustrated! http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm By the way, while you are on liquids try Campbell's Chunky Bean and Ham Soup. I used to suggest the Bean with Bacon soup, but the Chunky is much better for you - fewer calories, less salt, and more Protein. Just puree the soup in a blender until its liquid. Or eat right out of the can once you are on mushies again. Also, remember to keep up on your protein suppliments while you are in these stages. That will help you to not be so hungry.

Heyas Linda! Long time no see girliefriend! *hugs* Dawg and I will be there tomorrow night. Is your man going too? I'm really looking forward to seeing ya! I can't believe that Cahn and Anderson work so closely together and yet have such different ideas about post op and post fill diets. Anyway, I did hiccup thing too. You could be eating too fast and swallowing air. Try slowing down a bit. Great job on your weight loss! When do we get to walk together again?? Trip2bme, you make me laugh so much! I'm proud of you for going to the gym. To slightly rephrase a quote.. It takes guts to shrink our butts! I admire you for going. Good plan on shopping around. It's important to find a place you are comfortable with that has a trainer you trust. Be patient with your fill. The first one I got blew my mind. I didn't feel any different and by the second day I swear I was ready to eat the house. I know I was able to eat more than prior to the fill, but after a few days things began to settle down and I was very comfortable with the restriction I had. You don't want to feel uncomfortable, you don't want to feel pain, you don't want to FEEL that restriction. What you do want is to be able to eat a reasonable amount of food, about a cup, and to not be hungry between meals - about every four hours. If you experience that, you have good restriction. Pain, struggles, PBs, golfballs, etc are all signs of something that's not working properly, which would either be you or your band. If you are eating slowly, chewing well, not drinking with meals and making good food choices, AND you are losing between 1-2 pounds a week, you have good restriction. Now, as for the orgasms... oh no wait.. that should be a thread of its own! *laughs*

Hey Stitchy, I am fortunate enough to have a Dr who really examines my eating patterns before deciding to do any adjustments. I wasn't sure I wanted my first fill for all the reasons you've listed. After further discussion with my Dr, I decided to go ahead and get 1cc. His goal was to see me eating 3 times a day, no snacking, and spacing my meals 4 hours apart. That small fill in my 4cc band was perfect. I could eat anything but I had to be more careful about chewing well and eating slowly when it came to meats, and it controlled the quantity of food I could eat. Over the last couple of months, I've really struggled with the decision to get more put in. I haven't had a PB either, only that golfball feeling when I know its time to stop eating. But I saw my portion sizes slowly increasing. Last month I told the Dr I thought I needed a fill, but after he looked over my food journal and considered my weight loss, he said he'd rather I just keep on the way I was. My portion sizes continued to increase. Last Sunday night I ate a 9 ounce steak, baked potato (no skin) and broccoli. My intent was to take half the meal home, but I ate it all. Tuesday morning I was in the Dr's office asking for a small fill. He agreed and gave me .5cc. I'm on liquids so I don't know how it affects my ability to eat solids yet. My hope is that it will only control the portion size and not restrict what I can eat. I enjoy eating salad, broccoli, chicken and steak and rely on those healthy foods for my calories and Protein. If I find it does interfere, I'll be in there getting some taken out! Don't worry about schedules or what other people do. Only you can know your body and what you feel comfortable with. My Dr told me that it's important that I use the band to its full potential to get the most benefit from it. I told him that it's also important for me to learn how to modify my eating habits on my own. I don't want the band to do it all for me. It's my helper. I do not want to end up bewillered, scared and 300 pounds again should I ever lose my helper.

:cheer2: Go Funny Go! :cheer2: I am so stinking proud of you sis!! Heather!! I'm so happy that you're obese! Rock on girl! Happy First Day of Summer Everyone! Woo-fricking-hoo! :clap2: I lost 4 pounds last week! :clap2: Dropped 2 more since I weighed yesterday! C 225.5 (-81.5 total, -4 this week)

Speaking of Brad. This guy sat just across the aisle on the plane who looked just like Brad Pitt! It was a nice ride home. *grins*

Thank you for all the "welcome home" messages! I feel so loved! *big smiles* I missed you all too. It's good to be home!

:welcomeB: to the Gone for Good Club, Sheryl H and Gadgetlady!! :clap2: I'm glad you both joined us! :clap2: I've updated the Members and Honors pages. Thanks again to Lins for helping us out while I was away. It sure made my job easier! *hugs Lins* There are some new folks on the Honors Page this week, and many have moved up to higher brackets! Great job everyone! How are we doing on score cards? Everyone keeping them up to date and kicking serious bootie? You'd better be! I'm back, motivated, and ready to see Onderland! Who's going with me??

Hi Everybody! I'm home! I spent a week in the south and STILL lost 2 pounds! w00t!! I went in to see my surgeon today and after much debating we decided to go ahead and add .5cc to my fill, putting me at a total of 1.5cc. I'm losing well and have been able to make good food choices but I started noticing my quantities increasing over the last couple of months. Since that is my downfall, I decided to get the fill. So, I'm on liquids for a couple of days but after eating out every meal for the past week I am looking forward to the liquids! As of today, I have lost 80 pounds. Ten more to go to reach my goal of 90 by July 9th. I have 2 1/2 weeks and I'm determined! I'm sure I have a lot of Water retention because of the salty foods I was eating down there. But the good news is that I STILL haven't eaten bread! The worst I did was have a bit of fried ocra, but hell...who can be in the south and not eat ocra?? I did get plenty of exercise everyday though. My legs are so sore from all the walking we did! I checked on the board a couple of times while I was gone, but this afternoon I will go through all of the posts I've missed in the GFG Club thread and get caught up. I missed y'all and I'm glad to be home and not 10 pounds heavier! *laughs*

I use that tenderizer on all meats. I love the flavor and it really keeps the meat from drying out. You'll have to fidget around with the times until you get it just right. But I think you'll like it.

JJB! *laughs* I had the same reaction the first time I sat in the waiting room and realized that my hips and thighs didn't touch the sides! I know exactly what an awesome and unexpected treat that is! Good for you!

I have a secret for chicken. Now most people hate the thought of chicken cooked in the microwave, but trust me this comes out so juicy and flavorful you'll be able to eat it. Lay a couple of pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast on a plate. (I trim off all fat with scissors) Sprinkle with McCormick meat Tenderizer (Seasoned) and black pepper. Lay another plate over it and microwave on high for about 4 minutes. Uncover, turn chicken over, sprinkle the tenderizer over the chicken, recover and cook on high for another 5 minutes. You may need to adjust the time for your microwave, but don't try other tenderizers! I have tried many many many tenderizers and this is the only one that works so well without being too salty. The orange color of the tenderizer keeps the chicken from looking grossly white. I've been making chicken this way for years and my family loves it. Of course, I adore grilled chicken but it is usually too dry now.

We've had a death in the family which has stirred up a lot of emotions that have been buried for many years. Mom and I will be flying her deceased mother back east to bury her in the family plot. I'm being pressured to see family on my dad's side that I haven't seen in over 20 years. I've tried nicely to explain that I just can't handle the added stress and emotions of trying to do family reunions on top of this sad trip. They don't understand and it's hurting their feelings. *sighs* I could use prayer for a safe trip and for Mom and I to be sheltered from any unnecessary stress while we are back there. We are hoping to visit some of our ancestors stomping grounds while we are there and just enjoy our time together as mom and daughter. We haven't gotten to do that in years. Thanks everyone. I know you'll be praying. *hugs*

*agrees wholeheartedly, while fighting the temptaion to chase after the pancakes hehe! Good to hear from you, Margo. I was beginning to worry that we'd be hearing reports on the 6 o'clock news that a woman in Wisconsin had walked into an I-Hop and opened fire on everyone eating pancakes! :pound:

Kat, I think this is as good a place for your question as any. I'm going to figure up my average weekly weight loss and post it here. I'd be interested in seeing how that compares with others who have been having hair loss. Good question! ------------------------------------------------ Ok, since surgery on Jan 9th, I have been losing an average of 2.93 pounds per week. How about you others who are losing hair?

Yuppers! Bread is a definite producer of PBs for many. I refuse to even try it... which is a good thing because I'm a breadaholic!

You know whats really amazing Lisa? I dont even think about those foods now. Oh sure, there were days in the beginning when I would do things our of habit, such as instead of turning right to go to work I'd turn left toward McDonald's. And I still have days when a craving with come over me and beat on me for a few days. My last one was for a turkey sandwich on wheat bread, with mayo.. oh dear, it's still there *she said as her mouth waters just at the thought* hehe And some will say, "Dont deprive yourself! If you want that, have it in moderation." To which I have to respond, "I have no self control!! If I could eat in moderation, I wouldn't be fat!" I haven't touched bread of any kind in six months. And I won't either. As far as I'm concerned, this band does not tolerate bread so I cannot eat it. The end. And THAT is freedom!

*BANG!* hehe! What.. no weddings or funerals to attend in June? Bah. Ya big baby! *grins* Hang in there Penni and don't put yourself in last place on the priority list for too long. It's easy to wake up several years later and wonder how the hell you got so far off track. *hugs*

My story exactly. McDonalds for Breakfast during the week, big country breakfasts on the weekends. lunch out at some burger joint every day of the week. Pick dinner up from anywhere that had food to go on the way home from work. I never cooked! The only food brought into the house that came from a grocery store was beer and Snacks. The money we spent on food was astounding! But we didnt care. We were lost in self indulgence and enjoying every bite of it. Ahhh.. the variety, the choices, the freedom!! Loved it! But then I felt like crap about myself after eating it. It hurt to get up out of my chair to go throw away the fast food containers. None of my largest clothes would fit. I stopped wearing jeans and started wearing those soft pants with the elastic waist so I would be comfortable. I was so depressed about my appearance that I stopped looking and then, I stopped even trying to care for myself. I wore my hair in a ponytail all of the time, never put on makeup, and then I just quit leaving the house. I sunk into a deep depression. My hips would hurt so badly in the night that I was taking two Aleve before sleeping just so the pain wouldnt wake me up. I was also living on antacids. Acid reflux would shoot up my throat and into my sinuses. I would wake up feeling as if I were drowning in burning acid. Choking and gasping for air. My feet hurt so much I limped when I walked. So I walked as little as possible. Then one day it dawned on me. I wasnt free at all. I was a prisoner. My band has truly set me free. To quote a song I dearly love... "Why be afraid of freedom, if it's yours?"

Man oh man. What a tough situation to be in. You did well Diane. I'm glad it's all working out and that the family will be getting help. I stayed out of this thread because I hate bringing the authorities into personal family business. I have seen so many instances like Kat described. And, it seems like once you allow those types of agencies in your business they never leave. But like I said, I'm glad this case turned out for the best. You're a good friend Diane.

Yay!! Thanks for the good news, Shawn! I use ThermaSilk Volumising conditioner on my hair and I love it! Really makes my hair look so full and thick. I don't use the shampoo with it though because it just ends up too greasy in a short time. I use Head n Shoulders Scalp Care for my shampoo.

I'm very happy for ya gal! The summer will fly by and by Christmas you'll be looking awesome! Can someone say EXCITED!!??!! :D

My face has never looked good with short hair - IMO. I have quite the double chin (neck... thing) and short hair just makes my face look bigger. Some heavy women retain thin faces and look much better in shorter hair. I wish I were one of them!

Paula, you are SO darling!

Awwww! I'm so sorry to hear that y'all are having bad experiences with fills. I feel fortunate that mine went so smoothly without the need for numbing. Didnt feel a thing and I was so scared the nurse had to hold my hand! hehe